Opening: Curatorial Assistant - Native Arts

JOB OPENING
DENVER ART MUSEUM
May 17, 2011

POSITION PURPOSE:
Assists Curators in:
• maintaining permanent collection and all associated documentation
• preparing installations of the permanent collection
• organizing temporary exhibitions for the Denver Art Museum and their travel to other venues
• hosting loan exhibitions from other institutions
• serving as staff liaison to the department’s support group (e.g. Douglas Society)
• grant writing and fundraising
• responding to questions from scholars and the general public regarding the collection

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Ability to work as a team with curatorial staff, museum staff and the general public
• Prepare, research, process, and maintain all records and paperwork for the permanent collection including acquisition and de-accession forms, annual acquisitions listings, incoming and outgoing loan forms, photography, object files, and electronic database
• Create gallery work orders and compile checklist information for exhibitions and gallery rotations
• Prepare and produce object labels. Work with Curators on production of interpretative texts for exhibition installations and the permanent collection. Maintain and change labels as needed
• Coordinate shipping and conservation arrangements with Registrar, Conservator and other institutions for permanent collection objects and exhibitions
• Process correspondence generated by Curators; edit, format, distribute, log, and file
• Maintain departmental files, including but not limited to object, artist, budget, and working files
• Maintain departmental and acquisitions budgets and reconcile with Accounting Department records monthly
• Maintain organization of department office, including prioritization of incoming mail and ongoing projects
• Manage and coordinate special events such as symposia and departmental fundraisers
• Assist visiting scholars with access to the collection
• Assist Curators in preparation of lectures and publications
• Assist with the creation and coordination of departmental publications
• Route rights and reproductions permissions to responsible parties and follow up on photo requests
• Serve as staff liaison for department’s support group as needed and as defined by supervisor.
• Respond to all phone inquiries to the department and direct calls to appropriate people
• Maintain departmental correspondence
• Assist Curators in troubleshooting computer operations

JOB QUALIFICATIONS
• Knowledge of museum procedures for receiving shipments, processing acquisitions, cataloguing art objects, deaccessioning, payment of invoices, etc.
• Strong organizational, writing, editing, research, record-keeping, accounting, secretarial, and event-planning skills
• Computer skills including MS Word, Excel, Photoshop, PowerPoint, ARGUS, Adobe Acrobat, and Microsoft Publisher. Knowledge of electronic databases helpful.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• MA in Art History, Anthropology or Museum Studies or relevant field preferred, BA considered
• Knowledge of art in collection area: American Indian, African, and Oceanic.
• Working knowledge of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. (NAGPRA)
• Two years of paid collections and exhibit experience in a museum, which involves collection management, exhibit design and research, processing incoming objects and loaned collections, and handling art objects.
• Knowledge of AGRUS collection management computer system.

This is a full-time, benefited position and is open to both internal and external candidates Posting closes May 31, 2011. If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your Cover Letter and Resume to the Human Resources Department at hrcoordinator@denverartmuseum.org.